Motorcyclists caught driving on Bangkok’s footpaths will face a fine of 2,000 baht, an increase from 1,000 baht, starting on Aug 1, deputy city governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said on Wednesday.
City Hall decided to double the fine because motorcyclists were still using the city’s footpaths, despite repeated warnings and campaigns, Mr Sakoltee said. He was speaking after a meeting with senior officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s city law enforcement department.
All district offices had been asked to strictly forbid motorbikes using footpaths, and set up centres where the fines can be paid. Enforcement of the existing rate of 1,000 baht had failed to reduce the number of motorcyclists travelling on footpaths, the deputy governor said.
The new rate of 2,000 baht will be enforced from Aug 1 onwards, Mr Sakoltee said.
The law enforcement department had been assigned to work with the strategy and evaluation department and create a mobile phone app for checking records of motorcyclists using footpaths.
From July 9 last year to July 21 this year, a total of 20,659 motorcyclists had been caught travelling on footpaths. Of these 4,197 were given warnings and 14,878 would face legal action. The remaining 1,784 were already in legal proceedings.
Fines amounting to 11,179,500 baht had been collected, Thai media reported.
